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What is an atom? This may seem at first sight to be a question that has already been reasonably answered by science. Most people will describe a atom as the smallest particle of matter known to man, others who specialise in the knowledge of atomic structure, will regard it as the smallest particle of an element which can take part in a chemical reaction.
There are other understandings of atomic structure but all of them are dominated by the concept of size or form.
However is the significance of the atom related to its form or its function? The question "what is an atom?" needs to be considered in this context and not merely from the point of view of the smallest centre of activity in matter known to man.
The size of an atom is of importance, but its purpose or reason for existence is the key to understanding the function.
A great deal of work towards this awareness has been carried out successfully in the electronic study of the atom. How the structure appears to work, the various electrical conditions and their relationship to each other, is knowledge that has been developed by many men and women in science.
These efforts present a view of a single particle of matter with to say the least, highly unusual electrical conditions.
For many years now people working in this field have been aware that the atom displays an electrical function that is in accordance with other concepts developed in science. As such it is able to be comprehended but its reason for existence or purpose remains unknown.
As work continues in exploring the properties of an atom and when regard is focused on the nucleus or heart of the structure, particles of energy that do not follow the established laws of physics begin to appear. There are presently several clearly differentiated, known particles of energy, able to be observed within an atom, that appear to exist by laws of physics of which we have no knowledge.
These particles have been collectively termed anti-matter. By disregarding for a moment the significance of size in relationship to an atom, its activity appears to be as an interface between two apparently different forms of energy.
One known and following already established lines of thought, the other completely unknown.
The next area of regard in considering the question " what is an atom?" must inevitably deal with size. This can presently only be done by comparison of activities.
For many years those men and women who study the physics of the universe have centred much of their work on the condition we know as "a black hole." There has been considerable work done in relationship to this phenomena, with much of it being centred around Stephen Hawking, who developed techniques of observation and understanding that should very definitely be explored.
Essentially a "black hole" from the point of view of astro-physics or quantum physics is a high concentration of energy that appears to be flowing in a direction beyond an observable condition. The position where the laws of physics and consequently observation cease is termed the "event horizon" What has been observed in close proximity to this event horizon has been the paring of particles of known energy with anti-particles, an energy that seems to have its own centre of influence and once again not following established laws of physics.
The activity of energy in the vicinity of a black hole reflects two very clear conditions, one termed a particle the other an anti-particle.
Although the energy activity is not so dramatic, the same situation of two completely different conditions can be seen in a single particle of matter. If the function of an atom regardless of size is to facilitate the movement of energy between two conditions, observable in a black hole and a single particle of matter, a new definition can be considered.
" An atom has unlimited size and unlimited energy and acts as an interface between two or more conditions of energy."
When mass is considered in the regard of the atom, the collective shape or form this takes becomes significant. Every form that we see is made up of atomic mass and for each structure, created by often vast concentrations of material particles, each is always an atom.
Each atom a centre of energy exchange between known and unknown energies. This vast range of forms includes a single particle of matter, a man, a planet, solar system or galaxy and without limit -- beyond.
Such a concept is worthy of due consideration and regard.
In our history, man has understood and developed these awareness's in whichever way was appropriate. Now it is the future of modern science to continue the further development of this knowledge and apply the understandings with intelligence and wisdom.
Nothing that is achieved in such a manner is an endangerment to any aspect of Life.